Jonny Wilkinson has admitted that even going under the knife might not be enough to solve his injury problems.

The England fly half announced last night he will almost certainly miss the entire RBS 6 Nations Championship after deciding to have his troublesome right shoulder operated on.

Wilkinson, who has played just 58 minutes of rugby since kicking the drop goal which won the World Cup for England, will go into surgery on Wednesday and expects to be out of action for at least eight weeks while he recovers.

But the Newcastle Falcon revealed that even that may not be the final solution.

"You have to accept that, after the operation, the nerve might still be damaged from the tackle and doesn't want to come back," said Wilkinson.

"I'd have to deal with that. But having the operation means that we'll have done all we can. It fits in with my ethics of wanting to know I've given everything its best shot."

Wilkinson stressed that was the worst-case scenario and Rob Andrew, Newcastle's director of rugby and Wilkinson's long-time mentor, is confident he has not seen the last of the fly half in an England jersey.

"We're all pretty calm about this," said Andrew.

"It's not as if this is a last measure or anything. This is the outcome of considered talks between all the parties concerned.

"The gathering of information over the last few weeks has led us down this road. It's been dealt with in a proper and professional manner. It looks as if it will be a six to eight-week rehabilitation period so we hope to see Jonny back with us before the end of the season."

Wilkinson's injury compounds the problems in the number 10 position for England coach Sir Clive Woodward as the obvious replacement - Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson - is currently awaiting considered medical opinion on a knee problem and will not be involved against either Italy or England's second opponents Scotland at Murrayfield later this month with the choice resting between Paul Grayson, Olly Barkley and Alex King for the key playmaker's job.

Personally, however, it was a much brighter day for Woodward yesterday, as he was confirmed as the British Lions coach for the 2005 tour of New Zealand.

The 48-year-old will be backed by former red rose team-mate Bill Beaumont, who was named as tour manager. Woodward saw off competition from Ireland's Eddie O'Sullivan, who can expect an assistant's role when further appointments are made in April.